Heart of Glass: The Art of Medical Models

This model, known as Mrs. Einstein, is the most complete vascular system from the head to the toes that FSG makes. It's used to demonstrate the path that catheters make. Photo: Garry McLeod

This model shows the main arteries of the brain, including the Circle of Willis and Basilar artery. The measurements of a cadaver casting were used to make this model.Photo: Garry McLeod

This model includes the trachea and the detailed branches of the bronchial tree. The bronchial rings were added using the measurements from a cadaver casting to make the model look and feel anatomical.Photo: Garry McLeod

Wade Martindale heats up glass to create a joint. Wade is using a hand-held torch to heat an area on the femoral iliac to add a glass tube connection.Photo: Garry McLeod

Wade Martindale bending the glass as he blows air through a tube. Wade is using a bench top torch to bend a glass tube with a large radius. The bench top torch helps heat a bigger section of the glass tube which allows the tube to bend easier.Photo: Garry McLeod

A demonstration model is hooked up to a closed circuit pump to allow the flow of water without submerging it into a water bath. This allows a catheter to run smoothly through the veins for proper placement of a stent.Photo: Garry McLeod

Detail of demonstration model.Photo: Garry McLeod

Detail of demonstration model.Photo: Garry McLeod

This close up, shows a stent entering the coronary artery for a balloon catheter placement.Photo: Garry McLeod

Gary Farlow can make art out of arteries. He and his team of 10 at Farlow’s Scientific Glassblowing are able to transform the body’s vasculature—and nearly all of its other parts—into an ornate borosilicate glass sculpture, from the heart’s ventricles to the brain’s circle of Willis. “We do almost every part of the body,” Farlow says. “It can take a pretty artistic mind to make some of these things.” With the help of cardiologists, the team creates custom see-through systems for science and medical training.

Their anatomically correct models can be designed to simulate blood flow, teach placement of catheters and angioplasty devices, or simply test or demo new surgical gizmos. Individual arteries, veins, and capillaries are shaped and fused together, one at a time. Ground-glass joints are added at the exposed ends so a head, say, can be connected to the carotid arteries should customers want to expand their model. A full-body setup could cost $25,000, so don’t get any bright ideas about using one as a brandy decanter.